19th Century Chinese Reverse Glass Treasure Chest

Description

As much an artwork as a piece of furniture, this 19th-century treasure chest from northern China is richly decorated with … more As much an artwork as a piece of furniture, this 19th-century treasure chest from northern China is richly decorated with relief carvings and delicate gilt paintings. The doors bear inset reverse glass panels painted with finely dressed women holding objects of scholarly pursuits, including a book, a weiqi board, a qin, and a painted scroll. The doors are further decorated with low relief carvings of floral scrollwork and secured by a brass plate in the shape of a phoenix-tail vase. The surrounding frame is hand-painted with auspicious objects and offering fruits and the top with lotus flowers and leaves - a symbol of purity, perfection and summer. This lacquered table chest is a colorful example of reverse glass portraiture, and looks lovely on display as a jewelry box or tabletop cabinet. less